Can Pirates salvage series finale vs. Cubs?
The beginning of May usually doesn’t mandate scoreboard watching. At the same time, it’s hard not to pay attention to how the Cubs are manhandling the rest of the NL Central right now.
Chicago (19-6) can extend its division lead to six games by beating Pittsburgh in today’s series finale, with a 12:35 p.m. ET first pitch at PNC Park. Handicappers at online sports book Bovada.lv believe in the visiting team to do precisely that. Joe Maddon’s troops net odds of -150 to prevail, whereas the Pirates enter as +130 underdogs.
Leaning on the scorching bat of Anthony Rizzo last night, the Cubbies captured their sixth straight road victory. The first baseman doubled twice, boosting his average to .333 with 15 RBIs in the past 11 contests. Jake Arrieta didn’t require much more than that, taking a one-hitter into the seventh inning.
Jon Lester (2-1, 1.83 ERA) shoots to reinforce the positive vibes in a few hours. He’s already opened with five consecutive quality starts for the first time in his career. The veteran lefty went 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA vs. the Buccos in 2015, including a complete-game triumph on Sept. 15.
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Judging by his performance through the first month of this season, counterpart Juan Nicasio (3-2, 3.33) won’t be intimidated. Pittsburgh’s righty allowed a mere three base knocks and fanned eight across seven scoreless frames of a 4-1 win over Cincinnati last week. He also boasts a 1.89 ERA with 21 strikeouts while claiming his three home assignments.
Despite Chicago’s ridiculous success of late, the Pirates (15-12) will by no means concede the matinee in question. Expect manager Clint Hurdle to stack the lineup with right-handed hitters to make matters difficult on Lester. We’re likely looking at a tight finish, with one bullpen or the other eventually caving.
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